Promotional campaign award validation methods through a distributed computer network

ABSTRACT

Code processing for promotional games and the like. In a preferred application, a lottery ticket holder who has purchased a lottery ticket is encouraged to access a designated Internet site by rewarding access thereat on the condition that information visibly supported on the lottery ticket from a given drawing is input at an Internet site and a test indicates that the information so-input matches lottery numbers that were picked for that drawing. Access to predetermined Internet-based services or sites can also be had as an award to an individual for inputting an iconic code at a machine connected to the Internet if the input code tests as valid, with the code being marked so as to be usable only once. Preferably, the iconic code is input by click-selecting displayed icons one after another in an order that corresponds to that of a code provided to the individual. POS methods for code processing are also described.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/738,067, filed Dec. 16, 2004, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/030,514, filed Oct.19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,105, issued Dec. 16, 2003, which is aU.S. national phase of PCT/US00/11094, filed Apr. 21, 2000, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/295,943,filed Apr. 21, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,017, and this patentapplication also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/154,346, filed Sep. 17, 1999; each of the aforesaid applicationsis entitled “Game Or Lottery With A Reward Validated And/Or RedeemedOnline,” and each is hereby incorporated by reference in its respectiveentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to games of the type used in promotionalcampaigns or lotteries. The inventive method distributes game cards orreceipts with codes to players, with the codes being validated and/orredeemed online.

2. Background Art

One form of promotional campaign that has been used to attract customersto stores revolves around the use of game pieces. Fast food chain storesin particular have distributed game pieces to their customers, with thegoal of increasing sales by attracting more or repeat customers. Thegame pieces sometimes provide an instant reward and may include aportion that is combined with other game pieces to redeem a differentaward.

In one game, a perforated cover conceals a hidden reward. To play thegame, the player removes the cover to reveal the reward. In anothergame, a scratch-off cover conceals a selection of potential rewards andthe player exposes a selected reward by scratching-off the cover with acoin, fingernail, etc. These games have been used by a variety of retailstores and especially fast food chain stores. State lotteries have alsoused such games.

In conventional game-piece campaigns and lotteries, the action of thegame is confined to the real-world (a.k.a. “dirt-world”), with therewards comprising free food, prizes, or discounts. In the case offast-food chain stores, the reward is typically a food item, forexample, french fries or a hamburger. Such prizes are furnished by thefranchisee, who may or may not be reimbursed by the game-sponsoringfranchisor or corporation. If the franchisees are to be reimbursed, thegame pieces must be collected from each franchisee, forwarded to aprocessing center, cleared, and a credit allocated to each respectivefranchisee. The small game pieces can be difficult to handle andprocessing the awarded prizes is costly.

At least one Burger King© restaurant franchisee has provided customerswith access to the internet through computer terminals connected in hisrestaurant. As reported in The New York Times, customers receive apersonal identification number (PIN) which entitles them to twentyminutes of internet access when they make a minimum purchase at therestaurant. Gambling and sex-oriented sites are blocked. The internetaccess provided to such customers is no greater than that of any otherperson who connects to the internet and the customer is not guided toany particular internet site. Further, the customer does not earn pointsor credits which permit access to sites or services which are otherwiserestricted to members, subscribers, or viewers who pay a fee to accesssuch sites or services.

There exists a need for an improved game in which rewards are enjoyed inthe virtual world, such as at an internet site. Also needed is animproved game which provides secure distribution and redemption of gamepieces and/or incentives to return to the source of the game without thecustomer having to identify himself. Further, franchisee's are in needof an improved game to promote sales and customer interest wherein therewards are disseminated by the franchisor. Moreover, store owners andfranchisees alike are in need of an improved method to stimulateinterest in their web sites and to encourage customers from the web siteto their stores. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the invention are described in the aforementionedpatent documents which have been incorporated by reference.

In a further aspect, a method for providing awards in the form of accessto one or more predetermined Internet-based services or sites for whichaccess is otherwise restricted comprises the steps of: providing a codeto an individual at a store, the code comprising a set of icons;presenting icons on a display of a machine connected to an Internet siteto the individual icons including at least each icon in the set oficons; click-selecting one presented icon after another in an order thatcorresponds to that of the provided code, so as to input the code to theInternet site; testing the input code to see if it is valid; providingaccess to at least one of said predetermined Internet-based services orsites in response to inputting a valid code; and marking the code inresponse to the providing step. As a result of this method, the code isuseable only once to provide access to said predetermined Internet-basedservices or sites.

In yet a further aspect, a method for encouraging a lottery ticketholder to access a designated Internet site, comprises the steps of:inputting at an Internet site information visibly supported on thepurchased lottery ticket from a given drawing to register the lotteryticket holder; testing the information to determine if it matcheslottery numbers that were picked for that drawing; and providing thelottery ticket holder with access to the designated Internet site on thecondition that the test indicates that the information visibly supportedon the lottery ticket satisfied the test.

In still a further aspect, a method for processing a validation codereceived at a point of sale (POS) machine during a purchase transaction,comprises the steps of: registering the validation code through theInternet site; receiving the validation code from the customer at thePOS machine; testing whether the validation code has been registeredthrough the Internet site; in the event that the test is satisfied,generating a discount signal which awards the customer a discount; anddiscounting the purchase transaction in the amount of the awardeddiscount.

Several arrangements and embodiments are disclosed herein of theinvention; the features and advantages of one arrangement or embodimentdisclosed herein can be applied to other arrangements or embodiments ofthe invention.

These and other features and aspects of the invention can be appreciatedfrom the drawing Figures and Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a game card supporting a validation code consistingof two alphanumeric portions that may be used in the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a variation of the game card of FIG. 1, in which thevalidation code includes an alphanumeric portion and one of a series oficons;

FIG. 3 illustrates a hardware arrangement by which a player can validateand/or redeem a reward online;

FIG. 4 illustrates a redemption form, partially filled in by a player,for submitting a validation code;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with a preferred methodof the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates another redemption form for submitting a validationcode;

FIG. 7 illustrates a game card supporting a sequence of icons as thevalidation code;

FIG. 8 illustrates a redemption form suitable for submitting thesequenced icons from a game card of the type shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a receipt upon which a validation code is printed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a redemption form suitable for submitting validationcodes from receipts of the type shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a variation on the printed receipt of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with a third embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an arrangement in which an individual indirectlyaccesses an Internet site designated for processing validation codes;

FIG. 15 illustrates a Web page in which the validation code processingfunction is handled a frame of a frameset loaded at a store's Web site;

FIG. 16 illustrates an online prize-page and third-party prize sources;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate two exemplary prize pages;

FIG. 18 is a Web page showing particular prize selections available tothe user;

FIG. 19 is a Web page showing a particular prize selection selected bythe user;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention in which the validation codes are supplied by players (e.g.,from a lottery ticket);

FIG. 21 depicts a repeated and desired cycle of consumer behaviorenabled by the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart consistent with the cycle of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart of an embodiment in which benefits are providedto customers at either dirt-world stores or Internet sites; and

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a point of sale machine for processingvalidation codes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview and introduction, the present invention is describedin connection with several arrangements in which validation codes aredistributed to players for validation at a designated internet site. Anumber of e-points may be awarded to the player when the validation codeis registered at the designated internet site. In other games, aprerequisite to receiving a benefit at another internet site or adirt-world store is that the validation code be registered online. Asdescribed below, players validate their e-point awards or register theirvalidation codes by entering the code into a machine at their homes,offices, or some other location—typically outside of the store at whichthe game card or receipt was received. E-point validation preferablyoccurs at the time of e-point redemption.

The term “e-point” as used in this patent specification refers to ameasure of an amount of a benefit which is spent like money or elapseslike time in response to usage of a designated internet service or site.The greater the number of e-points, the greater the benefit conferredupon the player.

In a game or lottery in which pre-printed game cards are used, the awardof e-points from a given game card may be predetermined for each card.Alternatively, the number of e-points associated with a pre-printed gamecard can be dynamically determined at the time of award redemption. Thesame is true when the game card is a receipt from a purchasetransaction. On the other hand, an award of e-points can be determinedbased upon details from a purchase transaction of a customer. As anembellishment upon any of these arrangements, the game card or receiptcan be tendered at a store and will confer a benefit on the holder if itwas validated online, regardless of whether e-points were awarded. Inother forms, “e-points” are distributed to players from a displayconnected to an interactive machine such as the machine 304 describedbelow. These game arrangements are discussed below.

1. Pre-Printed Game Cards With A Predetermined Number of E-Points

In FIGS. 1 and 2, two variations of a game card are illustrated. Aseries of game cards such as the type shown in either FIG. 1 or 2together comprise a particular game which may include 600 million ormore game cards. The game cards are to be distributed to a great numberof players across a particular state or the entire United States, and,in contrast to prior games, the reward on these game cards is redeemedoutside of the store and without manual intervention of a store clerk.When the reward is in the form of limited access to an internet serviceor site, there is no paper processing required to redeem and provide thereward to the player, and there is no need to reimburse a franchisee orstore for distributing a winning game card.

The pre-printed game cards 100, 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2 support a visiblevalidation code 102, 202 which identifies each card in the series. Inaddition, the game cards may further include a machine-readable code104, 204 (e.g., a bar code and/or magnetic ink) for control, tracking,or in-store award purposes. The validation code preferably comprises amaster-code 106, 206 and a set of associated sub-codes 108, 208.

The exemplary game cards 100, 200 further include a conventionalscratch-off type instant award attached to a perforated portion 110, 210of the game card. The perforated portion includes several concealedchoices, one or more of which can provide the player with an instantlyredeemable reward which is revealed by removing a scratch cover. Thegame card 200, for example, includes a “free burger” award, as shownwhere the scratch cover has been removed. A machine-readable code 112,212 also is provided on the perforated portion 110, 210 for tracking andclearing the instant reward. Thus, if the perforated portion isseparated from the remainder of the card, for example, to redeem theinstant award, the nature and value of the award as well as the cardfrom which the award was granted can be traced by the franchisee,franchisor or other processing center. The machine-readable code 112,212 further may be usable to identify the store to which that game cardwas initially distributed. The perforation and instant award areoptional features.

In accordance with one arrangement of the invention and as shown in FIG.3, a relationship table is established and stored in a database 300which associates the validation code of each game card in the serieswith a predetermined number of e-points. The relationship table isestablished prior to distributing the game cards in a given series. Therelationship table can be established in a variety of ways, and ispreferably established using a programmed computer. As an illustration,the computer generates a multiplicity of unique validation codes, eachof which is included in a separate row of the relationship table. Thismay be done, for example, by cycling through the various permutationsand either randomly selecting from among the permutations the validationcodes to be included as a row in the relationship table, or deselectingcertain permutations and including the remainder as rows in therelationship table until the number of validation codes and rows in therelationship table equals or exceeds the number of game cards to beincluded in the series. Thereafter, the number of each type of award isset and assigned to selected validation codes. For example, the awardmay be randomly assigned to a validation code or, equivalently, assignedto a row in the relationship table. That row of the relationship tableand that validation code need not be considered further (e.g., a flagmay be set that the validation code has been assigned a number ofe-points, or the presence of data in the e-point field can be tested).In this manner, each of the validation codes is assigned an e-pointaward until there are no more e-point awards to give out. At that time,any unassigned validation code may be accorded an arbitrary award ofe-points (e.g., zero). In the event that master-codes and sub-codes areused, the award assignment can be made on a game-card by game-card basisto ensure that each card has a designated pattern of awards (e.g., onegreat award, one zero award, and the remainder moderate to smallawards). Techniques known in the lottery industry also can be applied toestablish a set of game cards with an appropriate distribution ofawards.

The actual number of e-points awarded for a given game card need not beprinted or shown on the game card. Rather, the player can discover themagnitude of the reward by contacting a host system 302 which managesthe database 300. The player contacts the host system using a machine304 such as a personal computer and a modem or other device whichenables bidirectional communication between the host system 302 and themachine 304. The connection is preferably made over a public network,and most preferably over the internet 306. The host system 302 includesa server 308 which manages redemption requests from a multiplicity ofplayers, each connecting to the system using machines 304. The hardwareis conventional and forms no part of the present invention. The playerpreferably uses any one of a number of standard web browsers such as theInternet Explorer°, a product of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.,and the server is preferably compliant with a variety of web browsers.

As shown in FIG. 4, a redemption form within a page 400 is provided bythe hosting web site and permits the player to enter the validation codeinto the machine 304 after connecting to the host system 302. The formincludes fields suitable for entering the validation code, such asmaster-code field 402 and sub-code field 404, and buttons which permitthe form to be cleared (button 406) or submitted (button 408) and whichpermit the player to enter additional validation codes from any othergame cards he or she may have (using the more-codes button 410). Inparticular, the more-codes button 410 permits the player to aggregatee-point awards to increase the magnitude of the reward that he or shecan use. Of course, the more codes button can be provided on a differentpage, for example, a page or frame which is displayed after submittingthe validation code from a particular game card. Upon submitting thecodes, a further page may be displayed from which the player can selectfrom a list of predetermined or designated internet sites and servicesto access and use in exchange for some or all of the awarded e-points.

The validation code contained on each game card 100, 200 preferablycomprises a master-code 106 and a set of sub-codes 108. The validationcode displayed on each game card is stored in the relationship tablewithin a machine, for example, within memory or the storage device 300of the server 308. By entering the master-code 106 from a game card anda selected one of the sub-codes 108 into the redemption form 400 at thecomputer 304 (a first machine), a complete validation code is providedwhich can reference a predetermined e-point award through therelationship table. In other words, the relationship table associates apredetermined number of e-points with each of the sub-codes 108 suchthat a selection by the player of a particular sub-code 108, incombination with the master-code, determines the reward.

In Relationship Table A below, the master-code and sub-codes for twogame cards are shown. In particular, game card 100 of FIG. 1 is thefirst game card in the Relationship Table A. The game card 100 has onemaster code 106 which is associated with a set of six sub-codes 108. Asingle game card 100 provides the player with a selection of six choicesfrom which one combination master-code 106 and sub-code 108 can beentered in an attempt to win a reward. The redemption form 400 of FIG. 4has the master-code field 402 completed with the master-code 106 fromthe game card 100. The player now can select one of the sub-codes 108 toenter into the sub-code field 404 to register the validation code andobtain the a-point reward. Of course, fewer or more sub-codes 108 can beassociated with each master-code 106 to decrease or increase the numberof choices provided to the player from a single game card.

RELATIONSHIP TABLE A Card Card No. Master-Code Sub-Code e-Points Void?Store No. 100 QRX-5522 Aa1 5 N 3400 100 QRX-5522 B22 10 N 3400 100QRX-5522 Cc3 15 N 3400 100 QRX-5522 4l4 5 N 3400 100 QRX-5522 5q5 5 N3400 100 QRX-5522 6Q6 0 N 3400 101 AbD-qqR4 french fries 5 Y 3401 101AbD-qqR4 shake 5 Y 3401 101 AbD-qqR4 burger 5 Y 3401 101 AbD-qqR4 coffee120 Y 3401 101 AbD-qqR4 chicken dips 30 Y 3401 101 AbD-qqR4 apple pie 0Y 3401

Relationship Table A further illustrates that different predeterminednumbers of e-points can be earned from a given game card, depending onwhich sub-code is selected. For example, the game card 100 has sixsub-codes 108 which reward the player between 0 and 15 e-points,depending on which sub-code is entered into the sub-code field 404 ofthe redemption form 400. The game card 101 awards between 0 and 120e-points, again depending on which sub-code is entered into theredemption form. Because the number of e-points to be awarded variesfrom sub-code-to-sub-code and from game-card-to-game-card, there is anelement of surprise which subsists until the player enters these codesat the computer station.

The method according to this arrangement of the invention is nowdescribed with reference to the process flow of FIG. 5. At step 500, arelationship table such as the Relationship Table A above is establishedwhich correlates an e-point award with a multiplicity of master-codesand their associated sets of sub-codes. The contents of the relationshiptable are stored in the database 300. The game cards are distributed toplayers at step 520 in any conventional manner, for example, at a pointof sale terminal in a retail store, in a newspaper, by mail, or in apage, frame or banner displayed at an internet site. The players attemptto redeem a reward by entering the master-code and a selected one of theset of sub-codes which appear on the same game card. The master-code andthe selected sub-code are received at step 530 at the machine 304 byentering that information into the redemption form 400 and posting it.At step 540, the validation codes received from the posted redemptionform are compared against the data in the relationship table todetermine if the input master-code and the selected sub-code areincluded in the database 300. If they are, then the validation codeentered by the player appears on a game card in the series and theplayer is presumed to possess an actual game card. Thus, the comparisonat step 540 better ensures that the player possesses the game cardhaving the received codes and reduces the risk of fraudulent redemption.In the event that the entered master-code is not associated with theselected sub-code in the relationship table, then at step 550 the playeris requested to re-enter the master-code and sub-code using theredemption form 400. The user may be permitted only a limited number ofattempts (e.g., three) to enter the correct codes to minimize andinhibit code hacking.

If the master-code and the selected sub-code entered into the redemptionform 400 are associated with one another in the database 300, then atstep 560 a check is made to determine whether the game card has alreadybeen used. Preferably, a game card can only be used once and then it isexhausted or void. To “use” the game card and exhaust it, a player mustenter a master-code and a corresponding sub-code that are associated inthe relationship table. Thus, when a player enters the correct codes andthe card is not void, he or she will be awarded at step 570 thepredetermined number of e-points associated with the entered codes.Entry of the incorrect code directs the process flow to step 550 forcode re-entry and the game card is not voided.

As shown in the relationship table above, a predetermined number ofe-points is associated with each sub-code as a row entry in the table.The e-point award, if any, is in the amount specified in the row entryof the relationship table that includes the entered master-code andsub-code. A simple search algorithm using the master-code as the searchcriterion identifies which game card the player possesses and anothersearch using the sub-code as the criterion identifies which e-pointaward is to be rewarded to the player.

After awarding the e-points, the master-code and preferably (butoptionally) each of the sub-codes associated with that master-code areflagged as void, at step 580. The player is then invited at step 590 tospend the awarded e-points at a designated internet service or site (bypressing the submit button 408), or can enter additional validationcodes back at step 530 (by pressing the more-codes button 410). Becausethe master-code has been marked as void, if it is subsequently enteredat step 530, it will still satisfy the validity test at step 540(because the codes are valid ones), but will fail the “card void?” testat step 560. Upon failing the “card void” test, the system provides theplayer with one or more chances to enter correct and non-void validationcodes. No reward is provided if the game-card is void. The order ofthese steps can be varied somewhat as understood by those of skill inthe art (for example, steps 570 and 580 can be performed in reverseorder).

It should be understood that other relationship tables can be used todefine a relationship between a validation code and a predeterminednumber of e-points. What is important to this embodiment of the game isthat a known reward be correlatable through the relationship table witha particular input code. Thus, a single validation code can be used toprovide the same result as using separate master-code and sub-codes:instead of separately entering into the machine 304 the master-code andsub-code, a validation code can be entered in one step or in onecontinuous series of steps (see, e.g., the validation code 1102 of FIG.11). A single validation code is entered, for example, using aredemption form 600 of the type shown in FIG. 6. The validation code isentered in a validation-code field 603, and any additional validationcodes are entered by pressing the more-codes button 610. If the playermakes an error in entry, the clear button 606 will clear the form.Otherwise, the submit button 608 causes the validation codes to beprocessed and causes a subsequent page to be displayed which permits theplayer to select an internet service or site from a selection ofdesignated services and sites.

The single validation code entered into the redemption form 600 can beprocessed by the host system 302 in the same manner as the separatemaster-code and selected sub-code, substantially as described above. Thedatabase 300 in this arrangement stores a relationship table such asRelationship Table B shown below. That table shows for a typical gamecard 100A the association between the single validation code and thenumber of e-points to be awarded. The game card 100A provides the playerwith a choice of six validation codes, only one of which can be redeemedusing the redemption form 600 prior to the game card 100A being voided.However, only one validation code need be provided on a given game card,as shown in FIG. 11.

RELATIONSHIP TABLE B Card No. Validation Code e-Points Card Void? StoreNo. 100A QRX-5522-Aa1 5 N 3400 100A QRX-5522-B22 10 N 3400 100AQRX-5522-Cc3 15 N 3400 100A QRX-5522-4l4 5 N 3400 100A QRX-5522-5q5 5 N3400 100A QRX-5522-6Q6 0 N 3400

The first seven characters of the validation code for each of thechoices on the game card 100A are preferably the same and uniquelyassigned so that each of the validation codes of a particular game cardcan be flagged as void once any of the validation codes has been enteredinto the redemption form 600. As in the prior example, different numbersof e-points can be earned from one game card, depending on thevalidation code that is selected by the player and submitted formatching at the host system 302.

In lieu of characters, the validation code (or the master-code, thesub-codes, or both) may take the form of icons or images. With referencenow to FIG. 7, a game card 700 is illustrated which has a validationcode 702 consisting of an arrangement of six icons 704-1, 704-2, . . . ,704-6. In addition, the game card includes a machine readable code 706.As with the game card 100 of FIG. 1, the player validates the game cardand redeems the e-point reward, if any, by entering the validation codeinto a redemption form presented on a display of the machine 304. Asuitable redemption form for inputting icons is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates a redemption form 800 which displays a plurality oficons 802-1, 802-2, . . . , 802-n. Preferably, there are more icons 802displayed in the redemption form than are printed on any game card 700.Using a mouse or other input device connected to the machine 304, theplayer selects six icons in succession from among the icons 802 in theredemption form by clicking a mouse button when the cursor is positionedover the icon. Each time the mouse button is pressed, an icon 802 isdisplayed as a code entry 804 in the form. Standard graphical userinterface (GUI) programming and function calls are used to determinewhich icons were selected by the player to be displayed as a code entry804 in the form 800.

With further reference to FIG. 8, the player has click-selected fromamong the icons 802 the first two icons 704-1 and 704-2 that appear onthe game card 700. As a result, code entries 804-1 and 804-2 depictthose two icons from the game card. The player continues click-selectingicons from among the icons 802 to recreate the pattern printed on his orher game card 700. During code entry, errors can be cleared using theclear button 806. When all six (or however many) icons 704 have beencorrectly entered so as to match the arrangement on the game card, theplayer submits the validation code using a submit button 808. Asdescribed above, additional codes can be entered by signifying to thehost system 302 that the player has more game cards. The more-codesbutton can be provided on the redemption form 800 or can be part of afurther page or frame.

A particular benefit arising out of the use of game cards having iconson them is that the players interact with the products of the gamesponsor and so the products are brought to the customers' respectiveminds outside of the store or conventional advertising environment.

2. Pre-Printed Game Card With Dynamically Determined Number of E-Points

The relationship tables A and B described above associate apredetermined number of e-points with each validation code, whether thevalidation code comprises a single code or has separate master-code andsub-code portions. However, the invention is not so limited. The codesmay be used simply to validate or register the game card in the hostsystem 302 (see Section E below), or may be assigned a number ofe-points at the time that they are submitted for redemption.

Assuming that e-points are to be awarded, the validation code can beentered as previously described in accordance with the steps illustratedin FIG. 5. However, at step 570, the e-points awarded are not apredetermined number associated in any table with the input validationcode. Rather, the number of e-points awarded is determined dynamically,for example, using a random number generator (RNG) or a pseudo-randomnumber generator (PRNG). Known RNG and PRNG functions can be used by thehost system 302 by a conventional function call to that routine whichreturns a number within prescribed limits (e.g., between 0 and 120). Thenumber returned by the routine is then awarded at step 570 to thecustomer.

The number of e-points awarded to a player can be determined other thanrandomly, for example, more points awarded to first corners, frequentshoppers, etc. What is important to this alternative embodiment is thatthe number of e-points awarded are assigned at the time that the playerredeems the validation code rather than at an earlier time such as whenthe relationship table is established. Thus, a relationship table inaccordance with this embodiment of the invention would be similar toRelationship Tables A and B above, except there would be no need tostore, access, or associate a number of e-points with each validationcode.

3. Purchase Transaction Receipt with Predetermined or DynamicallyDetermined Number of E-points

In lieu of pre-printed game cards, the method of the present inventionmay have the validation codes distributed to players on a receiptprinted as a result of a purchase transaction. FIG. 9 illustrates anexemplary receipt which includes a validation code 902 consisting of amaster code 906 (“Today's Code”) in the form of an string of charactersand a sub-code 908 (“Your Icon”) in the form of a stick figure image.The printed receipt 900 is similar to the pre-printed game card 200, andmay include plural icons. The receipt typically includes otherinformation including one or more of the following: the amount spent,the items purchased, the date, day, time, store number, transactionnumber (“TN”), cash tendered, and change given. If a credit or debitcard is used, the receipt may include a portion of the card numberprinted on the receipt to identify the card that was used, as well asother card-related information (card holder's name, whether cash wasgiven back to the customer, etc.).

The receipt 900 indicates that on Apr. 1, 1999, the customer spent $5.15and earned 515 e-points which may be redeemed using a suitableredemption form, such as the redemption form 1000 of FIG. 10. Uponaccessing the host system 302, the customer can enter the master code906 (“Yellow French-Fry”) in the master-code field 1002 and click-selectthe icon 1004 in the sub-code portion of the form that corresponds tothe icon 908 printed on the receipt 900. The e-points are awarded if theentered master-code and sub-code are associated in a relationship table,such as one of the above-described relationship tables. As with thepreviously described forms, the customer can clear the fields using theclear button 1006 or input additional codes using the more-codes button1010.

A variety of icons can be printed on the receipt 900 to make itdifficult for one person to advise another of the proper code. Inaddition, the display of icons (sub-codes 1004) in the redemption form1000 can be randomly shuffled each time a customer accesses the form sothat a given icon (such as the icon 908 printed on the receipt) appearsin a random position in the form. Also, other information can be used byan icon-selection routine to select a particular icon to print on thereceipt. For example, on any given day, the “Today's Code” may be fixed,but the icon 908 may vary with the amount spent, the time of day and thetransaction number, and that further information may be entered into theform 1000 as an integrity check to ensure that the player is an actualcustomer and not someone attempting to gain access to e-points.

Another printed receipt 1100 which includes a validation code 1102 isshown in FIG. 11. The validation code may comprise any of the codespreviously described, and most preferably has a form (e.g., alphanumericcharacters) which readily can be printed along with the other details ofa given purchase transaction by a printer that is connected to the pointof sale (POS) terminal. The receipt typically includes other purchasetransaction details and information, as described above. Preferably, thereceipt 1100 further includes a machine-readable code 1104 or is printedwith magnetic ink to facilitate the award of any benefits at a dirtworld store.

In addition to conventional processing, a POS terminal which distributesvalidation codes in accordance with this aspect of the invention isconfigured to print a unique validation code on the receipt for eachpurchase transaction. In FIG. 12, the POS terminal receives items forpurchase by the customer at step 1210 in any conventional manner such asby keying in the price or code of a product or by scanning amachine-readable code on the product's packaging. An unassignedvalidation code is preferably retrieved at step 1220 from a data basesuch as the database 300 or other central data store. At some timebefore a purchase receipt is fully printed (including a time just beforethe purchase items are received), at step 1230, the POS terminal printsthe purchase transaction details along with the retrieved validationcode onto a receipt.

The retrieved validation code may be flagged as having been assigned toa customer as at step 1240 and the database of validation codes used bythe POS terminal then may be updated at step 1250 to ensure that eachvalidation code is printed on only one receipt. Instead of flagging thevalidation code as having been assigned to a customer (that is, havingbeen printed on a receipt), the validation code can be removed (e.g.,popped) from the list of remaining unassigned validation codes.

It should be understood that more than one POS terminal may access thesame data store of validation codes. Each POS terminal is connectedeither directly or indirectly through a network to the host system 302so that it has access the validation codes in the database 300. Theconnection can be continuous, for example, using a dedicated line, ortemporary, for example, using a modem or the like. Because of the POSterminal has access to the entire series of validation codes in thedatabase 300, players can be provided with unique validation codes oneach of their register receipts instead of on pre-printed game cards,with a predetermined number of e-points being associated with each suchreceipt, or with a dynamically determined number of e-points awardedupon registering the validation code, as described in section headings Aand B above.

The validation codes can be retrieved directly from the database 300 orfrom a local data store which has been provided with a number ofunassigned validation codes. The unassigned validation codes areavailable to each POS terminal at a particular store for assigning torespective purchase transactions. The validation codes are retrievablethrough a program call to a routine or data store which returns thevalidation code and places it in the printer buffer to be printed on thereceipt 900, 1100. The program call may be placed within areceipt-printing routine of the POS terminal so that it is executedalong with the other instructions in the print routine. The program callcan be configured to flag the validation code as assigned, or cause thevalidation code to be removed (e.g., popped) from the list of unassignedvalidation codes.

4. Purchase Transaction Receipt with Number of E-Points Based onPurchase Transaction Details

Another method in accordance with the invention awards e-points on thebasis of purchase transactions made by a customer. The number ofe-points to be awarded in this embodiment varies with each purchasetransaction and so the award must be calculated at the POS terminal orat another machine to which the terminal is connected. At a time shortlyafter the purchase transaction is made, the computed number of e-pointsis reported back to the host system 302 along with its assignedvalidation code for inclusion in the database 300. This enables thecustomer to enter the code into a suitable redemption form, such as oneof the redemption forms of FIGS. 4, 6, 8 and 10. This method may proceedas described above in connection with FIG. 12, except that the number ofe-points awarded is calculated and printed on the receipt, as shown inphantom, at step 1260.

The validation codes are preferably established at the outset of thegame and a number of validation codes are distributed to each POSterminal and/or store for printing on individual receipts.Alternatively, the validation code can be generated using the purchasetransaction details and then printed at step 1230 onto the receipt. Thevalidation code along with the awarded number of e-points is thereafterprovided to the host system 302. A suitable validation code generator isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,827 of Beach et al.

E-point awards can be valued at one point per penny spent, can beawarded in rounded amounts (i.e., by the tens or hundreds), and othercorrelations between amount spent and e-points earned are within thescope of the invention. Thus, differing amounts of e-points can beawarded for the same amount spent, with the variation in the award beinga function of the products that were purchased. For example items orservices for which there is an excess inventory or an ongoingpromotional campaign may be awarded more e-points than other items orservices.

E. Game Card or Receipt Validated Online

By distributing validation codes to players and customers which arevalidated at an internet site (e.g., at a web page maintained by thegame-sponsoring organization), the game of the present inventionprovides players and customers alike with a reason to visit a particularinternet site. In accordance with a further aspect of the inventiondescribed under the present

section heading, the player or customer is given an incentive to returnto the retail store, in addition to or instead of an award of e-points.

In FIG. 13, a game card or receipt such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 9 and11, is distributed to a customer at step 1310. The game card or receiptsupports a visible validation code, as previously described. Thecustomer thereafter accesses the host system 302 and enters thevalidation code into a redemption form (see FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 10). Inother words, the validation code is received at a designated internetsite. At step 1320, the validation code is registered at the designatedinternet site, which is maintained at the host system 302. As describedabove, the game card or receipt is “voided” when the validation codeentered into the redemption form is received at the designated internetsite, as shown at step 1330.

If the customer were to re-enter the validation code into the redemptionform, it would register as void. If e-points were awarded the first timethat the validation code was entered, none would be awarded on thesecond attempt to redeem the reward. Thus, with respect to e-pointawards, the game card or receipt is exhausted.

However, the “void” status of the game card or receipt has a second usewhen presented at a predetermined store, as at step 1340. The storeeither scans the machine readable code on the game card or receipt (seecodes 104, 204, 706) or the validation code is entered at the POSterminal (or another terminal in communication with the validation codedatabase). At step 1350, the terminal determines whether the validationcode on the card was previously voided online by accessing a data storein communication with (or which is the same as) the database 300 orwhichever data store maintains the voided-card status information. Ifthe code was not previously voided then the customer receives no furtherbenefit (step 1360). However, if the card tendered by the customer wasvoided online, then the customer receives a benefit for returning to thestore, for example, a free item or a discount on the present or asubsequent purchase at that store or some other store. In this manner,the invention directs consumer traffic to a designated internet site orservice and then to a store, for example, the store where the game card(or receipt) was initially obtained.

It should be understood that the customer may have to click-throughseveral screens at the designated internet site to get to the redemptionpages. This permits the game sponsors to present the player/customerwith other information including advertisements, catalog items andpromotional materials up to and perhaps including the display of theredemption form.

F. Arrangements with Indirect Access to the Designated Internet Site(s)

In use, a user can access a variety of Web sites from his or her machine304 over the Internet 306, including the Web site of a host system 302.In the arrangements of FIGS. 14 and 15, the customer is indirectlyencouraged to visit the “consumerdigital.com” Web site by selecting abanner ad, icon, or button provided at another Web site (namely, Websites 1420 and 1470). In these arrangements, the customer is directed toa designated internet site (“consumerdigital.com”), but need not knowthat he or she has navigated to another page.

In the arrangement of FIG. 14, individuals indirectly access the Website of the host system 302 from another Web site. FIG. 14 shows linksfrom the Web pages of two different stores to a common host system 302.In particular, the stores 1410 and 1480 have outsourced thecode-processing and prize-awarding features of the present invention tothe server that supports the Web page 1440, instead of hosting thosefunctions themselves. Thus, a customer browsing or shopping at the store1410 can enter a validation code from a receipt, game card, or othersource and thereafter access that store's Web site 1420. The customermay have to navigate through a number of pages at that Web site beforebeing presented with an opportunity to validate the code that he or shereceived at the store; however, that is not required. At least one ofthe pages at the Web site 1420 includes a banner, button or other“selectable-link” 1430 which directs the customer to a different anddesignated Internet site, and, more particularly, to the host site 1440which is hosting the code-processing and prize-awarding functions of thepresent invention.

The host site 1440 displays a redemption form and a submit button asdescribed above. Preferably, a banner space 1450 is provided whichincludes data from the linking Web site. In other words, the name ofstoresite1 will appear in the banner space 1450 if a customer accesseshost site 1440 from storesite1.com, and the name storesite2 will appearin the banner space if the customer accesses the host site 1440 fromstoresite2.com. The host site 1440 can thus be provided with achameleon-like characteristic which causes the host site to identifyitself with the name of the Web site that accessed it. The linking siteprovides information to the host site to identify itself so that itscontinued right to access the code-processing and prize awardingfeatures can be ascertained. If the linking site has the authority toaccess these features, the customer can then enter a code. In the eventthat a valid and non-void code is entered, the customer will be awardede-points that can be used online (e.g., at the host site 1440 or anothersite 1490), or will receive a benefit if the code is thereafterpresented at a predetermined store or Internet site.

As understood by those of skill in the art, there are several ways todetermine from which Web site a customer has come when he or sheaccesses the host site 1440. As one example, a simple form having avisible “Click Here To Submit Validation Code” button and a hidden storeidentifier can be presented to the customer in the banner space 1430,1460. Such a form is shown below in pseudocode.

<form name=StoreIdaction⁼“http://www.consumerdigital.comIcgi-bin/nextbanner.htm”method=“post”> <input type=hidden name=“WhichStore” value=“Jeans Plus”><input type⁼hidden name=“ResponsePage”value=“http://www.consumerdigital.corn/mainpage.html”> <inputtype=submit value=“Click Here To Submit Validation Code”> </form>

Upon clicking the button 1430, such a form is posted to a bin forprocessing by a conventional server-side form processor. The form passestwo fields of data, neither of which is displayed on the customer'sbrowser. Specifically, the form passes the name of the store accessingthe Web site 1440, which in this example is “Jeans Plus.” In addition,the form identifies the next Web page to display at the Web site 1440after posting the form, which in this example is “mainpage.”

Alternatively, the code-processing and prize-awarding functionality canbe handled within a frame 1500 in a frameset loaded at the store's Website 1420′, as shown in FIG. 15. A series of buttons for navigating theWeb site 1420′ are provided in a main frame, including a button 1510which causes a redemption form to be displayed in the target frame 1500.Once the customer submits the code(s), he or she can either enjoy onlinesites and services by spending any e-points that are awarded, or canpresent the voided game code at a virtual or dirt-world store to receivea benefit (for having gone to the store 1410 after voiding thevalidation code). If e-points are awarded, the prize can be enjoyed in aframe presented in place of the frame 1500.

A customer who initially receives a validation code at the store 1410can void the code online and then obtain a benefit at a different storesuch as the store 1480, as illustrated in the following example.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A retail clothing store 1410 and a retail music store 1480 cater to thesame demographic group. Through a cross-marketing arrangement, eachstore offers discounts to the customers of the other if their respectivecustomers first void a code provided at a designated Internet site.Thus, a customer at the clothing store may have to register a code on agame card or receipt at the Web site of the music store and vice versa.If the customer thereafter visits the other store (within any specifiedtime period), he or she will receive the discount. Fees can be exchangedbetween the two (or more) stores for directing consumer traffic theirway, for example, a fixed fee or a percentage of the sale. Of course,both stores must have access to the registered codes so that thecustomer's compliance with the go-online requirement can be tested.

G. Benefits And Prize Awards

For cash transactions, the customer can remain anonymous and still enjoybenefits and prize awards—a distinct advantage over competingtechnologies for certain transactions and segments of society.

With reference now to FIG. 16, the online prize page (or frame) 1490 isillustrated in greater detail. The prize page 1490 provides selectionicons 1602-1, . . . , 1602-4, . . . , 1602-n from which the user canselect a prize to enjoy online. The selection icons 1602 may comprise,for example, selectable-links and most preferably anchored images (e.g.,GIF, JPG or other image files, compressed or not compressed (e.g., a BMPfile)) representative of the various prizes that can be selected. Asdescribed above, the prizes include access to Web sites, games, magazinearticles, and other services that are generally only available throughsubscriptions or on fee basis (pay-per-view or pay-for-use). The prizescan come from a variety of sources. In FIG. 16, two different publishers1610, 1620 each having several magazines (publisher 1610 havingmagazines A-E and publisher 1620 having magazines F-H) are associatedwith the prize page 1490, as indicated by the connecting arrows. Inaddition, the prize page may be associated with one or more game sources1630. The illustrated game source 1630 has two games available, game Aand game B. Other prizes can be associated with the prize page 1490 suchas private prize selections 1640, provided by or for the benefit ofvisitors to the storesiteX Web site.

The set of selection icons 1602 to be displayed on the prize page 1490can be dynamically determined so that only the prizes that the user canselect with the number of e-points that have been awarded are presented.For example, prizes that require more e-points than the user has may notbe displayed, or can be displayed but rendered non-selectable (e.g.,using a DHTML script to not provide (or to eliminate) anchor tags fromaround the selection icon(s) 1602-x for which the user does not havesufficient e-points.

FIG. 17A illustrates an exemplary prize page 1490A made available fromthe storesite1.com Web site. The prize page 1490A offers customers whovisited the storesite1.com Web page a selection of magazines frompublisher 1610, a game from the game source 1630, and a private prize1640. FIG. 17B illustrates an exemplary prize page 1490B provided by thestoresite2.com Web site. This prize page 1490B only provides a selectionof magazines from which to choose an article or story to read. The prizepage 1490B provides a different selection of magazines than the prizepage 1490A, namely, one magazine from the publisher 1610 and two fromthe publisher 1620. The prizes on the exemplary prize pages 1490A and1490B constitute non-overlapping sets, although that is not required. Ina practical implementation of the invention, the store 1410 may cater toyounger customers who are more interested in playing games and readingabout teen-issues or hobbies whereas the store 1480 may cater to anadult crowd and provide a more sophisticated selection of prizes (suchas daily and specialty newspapers, professional journals and magazines,business articles, etc.).

FIG. 18 illustrates a further Web page 1800 which is displayed afterselecting the selection icon 1602-1A of FIG. 17A. The Web page 1800presents the user with a more particular selection of articles and otheritems from which to select a prize to enjoy online. When the userselects a particular article or story or other prize, a further Web page1900 is presented on the user's browser (FIG. 19) for displaying aselected article. The selected article is displayed within the Web page1900, as at 1902. This Web page also includes buttons such as button1904 which the user can use to indicate a desire to subscribe to themagazine, if they so desire, or press to link to “partner” sites, usingthe button 1906. If the selected prize was a game, the user might bepresented with the opportunity to download the game for a fee afterplaying, if the user so desires.

The actions described above in connection with FIGS. 14-19 can beimplemented in one or more methods in accordance with particularembodiments of the invention.

H. Electronic Distribution of Codes

The validation code can be supported on a variety of media, includingbut not limited to:

Printed Media: Electronic Media: game cards e-mail receipts web pagesbottle caps and inserts frames candy bar wrappers banners other productpackaging blow-in cards from magazines free standing insert (“FSI“)direct mail customized advertisements

In the case of electronic media, the code can be distributed over anelectronic communication link from a server to a client. For example,the code can be conveyed within an e-mail from an e-mail server to thee-mail account of a user—if the user's identity is known. (In anonymoustransactions in which a code is to be provided, the user must providehis or her e-mail address in order to be able to receive targetede-mails or other information or offers.)

E-mails can be sent to a user in response to a purchase transaction thatwas made at a retail store or a Web site. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/250,358, entitled “DIGITAL TRANSACTION REPORTING WITH TARGETEDADVERTISEMENTS,” filed Feb. 12, 1999, discloses a system and method fortargeting a promotional offer or advertisement to a customer in responseto a specific purchase at a retail store or at an internet site in whichan account of the user is charged, and such patent application is herebyincorporated by reference as if set forth in its entirety herein.Alternatively, the e-mail can be sent (1) to audiences that are targetedin other ways, (2) to persons who have opted-in to receive messages fromthe e-mail source, or, less desirably, (3) to a variety of e-mailaccounts through a mass “mailing” (so called spamming).

I. Outsourced Code Distribution

The code distribution function can be outsourced by participating storesand instead handled by a card issuer (e.g., by Visa®, Mastercard®,American Express®, Macy*s®, a specific bank such as Citibank®, etc.) asin the following example:

Example 2

A card issuer manages a promotional game through which participatingstores offer discounts or online rewards if patrons first go to theparticipating stores, make purchases using the card issuer's card andthen access a designated Internet site. The card issuer provides codeson the monthly statement or with e-receipts as described in theabove-referenced patent application entitled “DIGITAL TRANSACTIONREPORTING WITH TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS.” The customer accesses the siteof the card issuer, and then links to a participating store's Web siteto enter the validation code. (The validation code or other identifieroptionally can be entered at the card issuer's Web site.) This flowrequires the customer to only know one Web address (that of the cardissuer) and not the Web addresses of each participating store. This flowalso enables the card issuer to track interest in the promotion andassess a fee for each “hit,” that is, for each selection by a customerof a particular store's Web site from the card issuer's Web site. Suchtracking is conventionally accomplished by logging the relevant onclickevents at the card issuer's site.

If the code is later presented at the participating store along with thecard issuer's card, the card issuer can provide a credit on thecustomer's account, or advise the point-of-sale terminal that thecondition for receiving the discount has been satisfied and apply thediscount to the present retail transaction. This further event can bethe basis of a royalty fee to the card issuer for playing a role indriving the repeat sale at that participating store.

J. User Supplied Codes and Codes Harnessed from Other Events and Things

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the user eitherenters a code or password of their choice or the code is harnessed fromanother medium. The code can be a screen name, or information from aticket, conventional receipt, or lottery ticket. The code can bedistributed to individuals in electronic form such as by generating andconveying a code within a banner ad that is to be displayed on the Webpage of a particular Web site: Each time that a Web page with such abanner ad is addressed, a new validation code is generated. Thevalidation code can be generated similar to the use of hit counters onconventional Web pages, but preferably is encrypted so that valid codescan not readily be discerned.

One convenient way of providing codes to players is by adopting thecodes printed on tickets from movies, concerts, raffles lotteries, andother events, air bills from overnight couriers, etc., all of which havea number associated with them along with other data such as whichconcert, raffle, lottery the ticket is for and when the event occurredor when the ticket was purchased. In the following example, a secondchance to win a benefit using a lottery ticket is described in which thelottery numbers picked by the user constitute the validation code.

Example 3

As in many lotteries, there are periodic drawings in which a winning setof numbers are announced and any matching tickets can be redeemed forprizes ranging from one to millions of dollars. For each such drawing,players either pick a set of lottery numbers or have the vendor picknumbers for them. There are no restrictions on the number of lotterytickets that the player can purchase and the player's identity remainsanonymous, at least until a major prize is claimed. Once the winningnumbers are announced, losing tickets ordinarily have no value; however,the present invention provides players with a second chance to win abenefit using their set of lottery numbers.

With reference now to FIG. 20, a player enters his or her lottery picknumbers within a prescribed period after a drawing, using a redemptionform as previously described. At step 2010, the lottery pick numbers areobtained at an online site. The online site can be hosted by aparticular company, or, as in this example, by the lottery provideritself. Upon registering his or her lottery pick numbers online, theplayer is presented at step 2020 with a selection of participatingstores. Any selections by the player are preferably recorded, though allof the participating stores can be automatically selected. On the otherhand, if the second-chance game were hosted by a particular company,step 2020 is not required and the hosting company is automatically the“selected” store. In either case, the store selections are recorded andeach such store can be charged a fee for having been selected. A furtherfee can be assessed if a player links to one of the selected store's Websites.

The obtained code is made available to the selected store(s) at step2030 for matching with the lottery ticket when the player visits theselected store(s). The codes are made available, for example, bydownloading any entered codes to individual stores or a central servermaintained by the store chain, or by providing a secure space from whichthe obtained codes can be accessed by individual stores or the storechain. Thus, as each set of the lottery pick numbers is obtained, itbecomes a “registered” validation code. Preferably, the obtained codesfor each selected store are arranged so as to define a (logically)distinct database of registered validation codes. In this manner, thesame registered validation code can be stored once and associated withmultiple stores through a physically common data store, or stored ineach of several physically separate data stores.

After entering the code online, the player visits the selected store(s)and obtain benefits at such stores, or thereafter, if a lottery ticketis received (step 2040) at such store matches the lottery pick numbersthat have been made available to that store. Preferably, the lotteryticket includes a machine-readable code or magnetic ink to facilitatereceiving the lottery pick numbers at the store. The machine-readablecode preferably includes data in addition to the lottery pick numbersfor tracking and transaction-validation purposes. A fee can be assessedto the store for having driven the customer from the Internet to thestore, either in the form of a flat fee or as a percentage of any salemade at the store (which readily can be tracked because the validationcode is received at the point of sale during a purchase transaction).

The lottery pick numbers are compared to the database of obtained codesat step 2050; if there is no match then no benefit is provided to thecustomer and the lottery ticket is returned to the customer at step2060. Otherwise, when there is a match, the customer is rewarded forhaving gone online, entered his or her lottery pick numbers, and shoppedat a selected store. Thus, at step 2070, the customer may be refundedthe cost of the lottery ticket (e.g., one dollar) upon presenting alottery ticket with registered lottery pick numbers. The customer may beprovided with further benefits to encourage a visit to the store's Website, e.g., by distributing a code to the customer on a game card orreceipt from that purchase transaction which can be entered online asdescribed in sections A-E above, by having a second drawing for thoseplayers that entered their lottery pick numbers online, or by offeringdiscounts and gifts for visiting stores that are geographically close towhere the lottery ticket was purchased (a traceable factor). Suchfurther benefits may take into account other predetermined criteria suchas whether the store has excess inventory to sell, any specials that arein progress or planned, and the like.

Optionally, the received lottery ticket (or a data file generated byreading the ticket) can be forwarded to a clearinghouse at step 2080.The clearinghouse might be a state/national lottery commission or alottery facilitator charged with the task of maintaining and processinglottery tickets for such state/national commissions. Thereafter, thestore might enjoy a rebate at step 2090 for processing the lottery (orother) ticket transaction.

For other ticket types, there may not be a rebate of the ticket cost,but other benefits can be provided at step 2070 such as a discount onone or more purchases, special offers, online awards as described above.

Example 4

A player enters his or her lottery pick numbers at a designated Internetsite using a redemption form as at step 2010 of Example 3. In accordancewith a variation of the invention, prior to making the entered codeavailable to any selected stores, the lottery pick numbers are testedfor validity against the database of lottery pick numbers that were partof a particular drawing (e.g., the most recent drawing). Only if thecode is valid will it be registered or voided at the designated Internetsite. To achieve this comparison, the designated internet site includesa link to a data store of the lottery numbers that were picked for agiven drawing.

The registered code can now be presented at any participating Internetsite or dirt-world store to redeem a benefit such as a discount. In thisarrangement, the user is presumed to have purchased a lottery ticketbased on his or her knowledge of a valid code; even if the user providesa set of lottery pick numbers without having purchased the ticket, theparticipating Internet sites still benefit from this fraudulent act whenthat user makes a purchase at their sites. In other words, the “player”was directed to that site to make a purchase and so the marketingcampaign was a success. In any event, the player may be required topresent a lottery ticket bearing a registered validation code if thebenefit is to be redeemed in a dirt-world store.

The method of this example applies to other enumerated ticket types(e.g., movie tickets).

The tickets that are supplied to vendors, whether for lottery or otherevent, may include the names and Web site addresses of those stores thatare selectable at step 2020, that is, of the stores participating in thepromotion. These names and addresses can be a reminder to thecustomer/player of which sponsoring stores are offering a “secondchance” and may be printed or pre-printed onto the tickets (e.g., on theback). The code obtained at step 2010 can be obtained directly at one ofthe sites specified on the ticket and then made available at the storesassociated with that site.

The invention has utility in environments other than fast food chains,clothing retailers, and commercial internet sites. The invention may beused to encourage customers to view information related to something heor she has experienced or to return to the theater or go to a designatedstore, as described in the following Examples.

A customer purchases a movie ticket having a visible validation codeprinted on it, as in FIGS. 9 and 11. The validation code from the ticketstub is entered at an internet site maintained by the theater, moviestudio, or other sponsor. Upon registering the validation code in aredemption form as previously described, the customer may now viewfurther information about the movie just seen or future movies or otherinformation that is not available to the public unless they have earnede-points or have registered a validation code.

Example 6

A customer purchases a movie ticket as in the prior example, and entersthe validation code from the ticket stub into a redemption form at asite on the internet. The validation code is voided by the act ofregistering it. The customer may now present the voided movie ticketstub at one or more designated theaters or stores for a benefit, e.g., adiscount on a subsequent movie or other items. This benefit maybe timerestricted, that is, may require the customer to visit a dirt-worldstore within two weeks of either voiding the ticket stub or seeing themovie.

K. Indefinite Returns to Participating Internet Sites and Stores

The steps of obtaining a code at a designated Internet site andthereafter receiving the code at a dirt-world store or another Internetsite can be repeated indefinitely.

With reference now to FIGS. 21 and 22, a code is obtained at adesignated internet site at step 2210 through a customer's machine 304connected to the Internet 306. The customer either creates the code(step 2220A; e.g., by entering a made-up code such as a password,lottery pick numbers, etc.), or has the code distributed to him or herin a printed form (step 2220B; e.g., game card, FSI, receipt, etc.) oran electronic form (step 2220C; e.g., by e-mail, banner, etc.).

The customer thereafter goes to a store as illustrated by the arrow2110. At the store (e.g., a dirt world store such as the store 2120),the customer provides the code to a clerk at a point-of-sale terminal,as indicated at step 2230. If there is a match, as determined at step2240, a benefit is provided to the customer (step 2250). If there is nomatch, no benefit is provided (step 2260). These acts comprise thefundamental building block 2130 of repeated and desired customerbehavior. These acts can be repeated with the customer going backonline, as indicated by the arrow 2140, entering the code at the machine304, going back to the store 2110, and making a purchase at the store2120 (which can be the same store or a different store, depending on thepromotion).

Example 7

Turning now to FIG. 23, a method in accordance with another aspect ofthe invention provides benefits to customers at either dirt-world storesor Internet sites. At step 2310, a validation code is distributed to theuser in any of the manners described above, such as from a receipt froma purchase transaction, a game card, or through a banner ad displayed ona Web page of a Web site. The validation code is registered at adesignated Internet site at step 2320. In the event that the code isprovided to the customer in electronic form (e.g., from a banner ad),then registration is achieved by first linking to the site addressed inthe banner ad and then linking to a specified further Internet site.

The user next navigates to a participating Internet site or dirt-worldstore and, if the code is presented, it will be tested to see if it wasregistered, at step 2330. If the code was registered, a benefit isprovided at step 2340. If the code was not registered, no benefit isprovided at step 2350. At the conclusion of the transaction the user isprovided with another code and will receive the same or an increasedbenefit if the cycle is repeated, that is, by looping back to the codedistribution step 2310.

Optionally, the benefit level provided to the customer can be adjustedto reward frequent shopping or desired customer behavior. On thecontrary, if the customer tapers the frequency of the desired behavior,the benefit level may be adjusted downwardly. Thus, at step 2360, thebenefit level provided to the customer is set and the setting can bestored in a database 300 (e.g., a Relationship Table as describedabove).

The repeating cycle is somewhat facilitated if the selection of storesparticipating in the game or lottery include stores within a prescribedrange of where the code was distributed. Because the source of the codecan be identified (specific codes are distributed to known stores, knownstores generate known codes, or the source of a ticket can be tracedback to the vendor), the selection of dirt-world stores to visit can bedynamically determined and displayed to the individual at the designatedInternet site. Of course, if the promotion is geared to encourage onlinesales, geographic proximity is not an issue.

L. Coordination of Distributed Codes with Purchased Items

When a code is distributed to a customer in a retail store, it can beassociated with the items that were scanned at the point-of-saleterminal. This association can be made by assigning a code at the pointof sale and storing that code along with the items purchased in adatabase (e.g., database 300), or when a pre-printed game card isdistributed, by scanning a machine-readable code on the game card andstoring that code along with the items purchased in a database. If thecode is registered or voided online, market data is gathered concerningthe individual who registered the code without his or her identity beingdivulged. The market data indicates the percentage of purchasers ofparticular goods and services who were motivated to go online andregister their validation codes in view of the advertised or promotedincentives. The data also indicates the percentage of such purchaserswho did not go online to register their codes. Further, data can begathered and accumulated concerning any registered validation codes thatare presented at a point-of-sale, and the newly purchased items and nextvalidation code can be again recorded and linked to the data fileconcerning the purchasing habits of that individual. Although theindividual's identity may not be known, data is nevertheless gatheredconcerning the frequency of which specific (unknown) individualspurchase particular items as well as other items.

M. Description of the Code Processing Feature

The code-processing feature is preferably implemented on a secure serverso that the winning codes are not available for inspection. Codes areentered at a designated Internet site using a redemption form asdescribed above. The redemption form can be implemented using HTML tags,preferably with javascript routines running at the individual's(client-side) browser so that the form is only posted to thecode-processing server after a complete code (and any other requireddata) has been entered.

For example, the code entries 804 in the redemption form of FIG. 8 canbe implemented as a single row table within a form that is posted to aserver for code-processing, as shown in the following pseudocode:

<form name=formlaction=“http://consumerdigital.com/cgi-bin/mainpage.htm” method=“post”onsubmit=“return done( ); ”> <table><tr> <td><IMGsrc=“graphics/question.gif’ name=“A”></td> *** <td><IMGsrc=“graphics/question.gif’ name=“F”></td> </t.> </table> <inputtype=hidden name⁼“ResponsePage”value=“http://www.consumerdigital.com/prizepg.htm”> <input type=hiddenname=“code” value=“null”> <input type=submit value=“Submit”> <inputtype=reset value=“Clear” onclick⁼“restart( );”> </H4> </form>

All of the code entries 804 in the redemption form of FIG. 8 initiallyare set to display a wildcard image in their respective cells “A”through “F”, such as a question mark (see code entry 804-3). This form,Form1,” includes two visible input fields (clear 806 and submit 808) andtwo hidden fields (response page and code). The visible fields aredisplayed on the customer's Web browser at the machine 304. The hiddenfields are not displayed. The “response page” field defines the addressof the next page to display after the customer posts the form (bypressing the submit button 808). The “code” field stores as its valuethe code that is entered by the customer, and initially has a value“null.”

As the icons 802 are selected by the user, the image of the wildcard isswapped for the image of the selected icon and each code entry istracked for later posting once complete. This can be implemented using asuitable event handler, provided that the customer uses a Web browserwhich handles images as objects, such as Netscape Communicator 4.0 orhigher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. These browserspermit the source attribute of the singleton image tag to be dynamicallymodified, and thereby permit the image to be swapped on the Web browserscreen without the need for reloading the current page—which would beone alternative approach to displaying the user's selections on thedisplay of the station 304. The updatelcon function shown in pseudocodebelow is one suitable event handler for (1) swapping icons 802 for codeentries 804 and (2) populating a one-dimensional inputCode array whichenables the input validation code to be posted to the code processor:

function updatelcon(currentIcon,codeEntry,codeValue) {if(currenticon=0)document.A.src⁼codeEntry; if(currenticon=1)document.B.src=codeEntry; if(currenticon=2)document. C. src=codeEntry;if(currenticon⁼3)document.D.src⁼codeEntry;if(currentIcon=4)document.E.src⁼codeEntry; if(currenticon⁼5 )document.F.src⁼codeEntry; inputCode[currenticon] = codeValue; }

The parameters passed to the updatelcon function are:

-   -   currenticon: a variable which is indexed with each icon        selection by the customer, e.g., from 0 to 5 for a six-icon        code.    -   codeEntry Sx: the name of or a variable identifying a specific        icon 802.    -   codeValue X: an arbitrarily value assigned to the selected icon        802 and used by the system for determining whether the set of        selected icons entered by the user correspond to a valid        validation code.

As each icon 802 is selected by an individual as a code entry 804, theupdatelcon routine can be used to process the event. The updatelconfunction can be used in an event handler responsive to an onclick eventas in the following statement which responds to the selection of theicon 802-3:

-   -   onclick=“update}con(currenticon,‘graphics/fries.gif,3);        currenticon=++currenticon;”

The value of the indexed variable currenticon is used to dynamicallymodify the source attribute of one of the cells “A” through “F” in theForm1 to have the value of the parameter “codeEntry” that is passed withthe function call. For example, in the above statement, the variablecodeEntry is assigned the image “graphics/fries.gif.” The value of thecurrentIcon variable is indexed with each icon selection, from aninitial value zero to six (due to the postfix notation), for a six-iconcode as shown in FIG. 8. The values of the codeEntry and codeValueparameters are established with respect to each icon 802-x, and thevalue passed to the updateIcon function depends on which icon 802 wasselected.

The icons 802 are preferably arranged in a two-row table using standardHTML tags with an event handler responding to the user's iconselections. For example, a validation code is entered by a customer byclick-selecting on the various selectable-links (icons 802). Thefollowing pseudocode includes an event handler which responds to a mouseclick over icons 802-1 and 802-2; however, the entire set of icons 802can be handled in the same manner, with the event handler preferablymanaging the details of which icon was selected:

<table> <td><a href=“#S 1” onclick⁼ “eventHandlerO;”><IMGsrc=“graphics/coffee.gif’></a></td> <td><a href=“#S2” onclick=“eventHandler( );”><IMG src=“graphics/icecream.gif’></a></td> </table>

A preferred event handler for “eventHandlerO” is the updateIcon functiondescribed above.

Referring again to the Form1, the visible input fields, clear andsubmit, each include an event handler. The clear button 806 responds toan onclick event by invoking the function restart( ), which causes thecode entries 804 to be reset to their initial wildcard images, and alsoresets the indexed variable currenticon. The restart( ) function can beimplemented as a javascript routine as in the following pseudocode:

function restart( ) { currenticon⁼O; document.A. src=wildC ard;document.B . src⁼wildCard; document.C. src⁼wildCard;document.D.src=wildCard; document.E. src=wildCard;document.F.src=wildCard; }

The variables currenticon and wildCard are global variables. Thevariable wildCard can be defined as follows:

var wildCard=‘graphics/question.gif);

The submit button 808 responds to an onsubmit event by invoking thehandling routine “return done( ).” When the customer attempts to submitan input validation code, a test is made to determine whether thecustomer has entered a complete code. If the code is incomplete, theevent handler will ignore the submit request and wait for the customerenter a complete code (here, six icons in a row, code entries 804-1through 804-6). Once a complete code has been entered, the code isposted to the address specified in the action field, which in thisexample is “http://consumerdigital.com/cgi-bin/mainpage.htm.” This eventhandler is represented in pseudocode as follows:

function done( ) {if (currenticon<6) return false;}

The done event handler returns the value “false” until the variablecurrenticon has been indexed to 6 (that is, until six codes entries 804have been instantiated). After a complete code has been entered, thedone routine will return the value “true” and the submit request will beprocessed by posting the inputCode array to whatever code-processingserver is designated in the action field of Form1.

The actual testing of the code entered by the customer is preferablydone at a secure, remote server which has access to all of the validcodes and can test the sublitted code for a match to stored codes.Briefly, as a result of the user's interaction with the icons 802 andentry of code entries 804-1 through 804-6, the inputCode array isinstantiated to have values representative of the code entries. TheinputCode array can be tested, element by element, against the set ofvalid codes to determine (1) whether there is a match, and/or (2)whether the input code is already void. The contents of the inputCodearray can be transferred to the hidden field “code” of Form1 by asuitable function such as the javascript pseudocode shown below:

function updateCodeToPost(inputCode) {document.forml.code.value=inputCode[0] + inputCode[1] + inputCode[2] +inputCode[3] + InputCode[4] + InputCode[5]; )

This javascript routine can be executed, for example, from theupdateIcon routine, when the variable currenticon has reached apredetermined value (e.g., “5”), and causes the value of the “code”field in Form1 to be updated from “null” or some other intitial settingto the code input by the customer at his or her machine 304.

N. Codes Distributed Over Time or Several Locations

In a variation of the foregoing, the validation code is distributed overtime or across several locations.

For example, a code can be distributed over time in the form of an orderof advertisements on a television station or “bugs” which appear on thetelevision display (typically appearing briefly as an overlay in acorner, and typically being translucent). Assume, for example, thatduring prime-time there are four half hour shows (shows 1, 2, 3, and 4)and one one-hour show (show 5) with commercials appearing before, duringand after each show in the following order {1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 2F, 2G,2H, 2I, 3J, 3K, 3L, 3M, 4N, 4O, 4P, 4Q, 5R, 5S, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5X, 5Y,and 5Z}, where letters represent advertisements and numbers representthe shows. A “winning” code includes one advertisement during each ofthese shows, for example, and many such winning codes can be derived.Accordingly, a player can be rewarded with a benefit by entering a codesuch as {A, F, J, N, R} or {D, I, M, Q, Z} from a selection of iconsrepresentative of each advertiser, by typing in the name of theadvertiser or product, or by otherwise establishing that he or she sawthe commercials on that television station during prime-time. If theplayer attempted to guess, he or she will quickly discover that thereare far more losing permutations than winning ones. The prize can be adiscount at the Web sites of any of the advertisers, or an online rewardat the Web site of the television station, for example. As a result ofthis method, advertisers can gain important marketing information andtelevision stations can gauge the viewership of an ad and chargeadvertisers for the viewing volume indicated by the number of codesregistered online (or attempted to be registered).

In the case of bugs, the bugs can indicate (in addition to or instead oftheir typical function as a station ID) a product being promoted and/ora code element (like icons 802).

Similarly, the validation codes can be distributed across severallocations. For example, a customer can enter at a designated internetsite the order of advertisers in a particular magazine, or acrossseveral magazines or issues, in order to register a code and obtain abenefit.

O. Point of Sale Code Processing

When a validation code is received at a point of sale (POS) machine, forexample, at a retail store or at an Internet site, the receivedvalidation code must be compared to the database of registeredvalidation codes. During the purchase transaction a validation code isreceived from the customer at the POS machine as shown at step 2410 ofFIG. 24. The POS machine may be an electronic cash register or ane-commerce back-end processor at an Internet site. The receivedvalidation code is then compared to previously registered validationcodes at step 2420. The previously registered validation codes can bemade available, for example, from the database 300. An “award discount”discount signal is thereafter generated in response to the comparison,the discount signal awarding the customer a discount if the customer hasalready registered the validation code at a designated Internet site, atstep 2430. Otherwise, a “no discount” discount signal will be generated,at step 2440. Depending on whether the customer has complied with theonline-registration requirement, his or her purchase transaction will orwill not be discounted when the purchase transaction is completed atstep 2450. Completion of the purchase transaction comprises tallying thepurchases, applying any tax, awarding any discounts and receiving theresulting total amount of money due from the customer. These steps canoccur at a dirt-world store or at an e-commerce enabled Internet site.

P. Sources of Revenue

There are a variety of sources of revenue associated with one or moreaspects of the present invention. A fee can be assessed for each codethat is distributed. A distinct revenue-generating event can be theregistration or voiding of a code online. Further along in the cycle, afee can be assessed for tendering/entering a registered code at a pointof sale or as a percentage of the net sale or profit (e.g., 5% of thenet sale). A paid-up or monthly fee can be assessed for indirect accessto a host-operated code-processing server, or for including thecode-processing technology at a corporate Web server.

In addition, a participation fee can be assessed to third-party prizeproviders for the promotional value of their association with the gamehost and the presentation to individuals/players on the Internet orother distributed network. Similarly, cross-marketing arrangementsbetween multiple stores which accept common series of codes can be anadditional source of revenue.

Finally, a portion of advertising revenue from the Web sites ofparticipating stores and Internet sites can be assessed to the gameprovider, for example, if an individual/player is driven to such Website through the act of entering a validation code.

The machine 304 at which the validation codes are received can be acomputer or television configured for two-way communication (e.g., atelevision which is connected to a telephone line or two-waycommunication cable line or fiber optic link) or other interactivedevice which has both input and output devices connected to conveyinformation to and from an internet site. Exemplary input devicesinclude a mouse, joystick, keyboard, remote control, touch screen switchpanel, acoustic-wave interference-sensing switch panel, and microphone.Exemplary output devices include a CRT, LCD, plasma display, andloudspeaker. One or more of these input and output devices can beincluded in the machine 304. After entering the validation code(s) intothe machine, the player is awarded a number of e-points as previouslydescribed.

It should be understood that an arbitrary number of alphanumericcharacters can be used for the validation code on a game card orreceipt. The master code 106, for example, may comprise sevenalphanumeric characters selected from A-Z and 0-9, which provides78,364,164,096 possible master codes (i.e, unique game cards). Tflower-case alphabetic characters are also used, then the sevencharacters provide 3,521,614,606,208 (3.5+ trillion) unique game cards.The sub-code 108 need only be one number or character to permit thecustomer to make a selection. However, to minimize fraudulentredemption, it is preferred that the same sub-codes not appear on everycard and that multi-character sub-codes be used as shown on game-card100 (note that three case-sensitive alphanumeric characters provide238,000+ unique sub-codes). When a seven character master-code and threecharacter sub-code are used in a case-sensitive system, 3.5 trilliongame-cards can be printed, with over 839 quadrillion assignable codes.As noted above, a single validation code can be used in lieu of separatemaster-codes and sub-codes. Depending on the implementation, a singlecode may not be as user-friendly to enter, but will greatly increase thenumber of combinations for the same total number of alphanumericcharacters or icons being used.

When the validation code is not pre-printed and is instead to be printedon a register receipt, the validation code can be dynamically generatedin real-time, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,827 of Beach et al.,the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if setforth in its entirety herein. The system of the '827 patent provides analternative technique to ensuring that each customer is provided with anunique validation code that can be used to redeem an award.

As used herein, the term “game card” is intended to broadly refer to anymedium which can display the validation codes, and includes printed aswell as “virtual” game cards that may be displayed on a display screensuch as a CRT, LCD or plasma display. Printed cards may be distributedat dirt-world stores whereas virtual cards are distributed at internetsites. Game

cards can be given away or sold to the player. A “store” at which a gamecard (or more particularly, a “virtual” game card) may be distributedincludes internet sites, within the meaning of the presentspecification, and the game card can be tendered to such a “store” byaccessing that internet site at a time after the game card has beenvoided, for example, after browsing one or more game-sponsor designatedsites at which the a redemption form is provided for registering thevalidation code.

As used herein, a “selectable-link” is a graphical or textual elementdisplayed in a first Web page which causes a Web browser to addressanother Web page when a mouse is positioned over the element and themouse-button is pressed. The selectable-link includes among otherpossible links: anchored text as in the HTML expression “<ahref=”consumerdigital.com“>Click Here To Submit Validation Code</a>;”anchored images as in the HTML expression “<A><IMGsrc=”graphics/question.gif></A>;” or an area in a client-or server-sideimage map. The manner by which the selectable-link is implemented is notmaterial to the invention.

As used herein, a “partner” site is the Web site of another company ordivision that is participating in the same game either as a prizegranter or a prize source.

While the invention has been described in detail with particularreference to certain embodiments thereof, the invention is capable ofdifferent embodiments and its details are capable of modifications invarious obvious respects. As would be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remainingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, thevalidation codes may be “distributed” aurally, e.g., by a radioannouncer, so that the players/listeners have to jot down the code on apiece of paper or memorize it until such time that they enter thevalidation code into a redemption form, as previously described.Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and Figures are forillustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention,which is defined only by the claims.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent invention and the appended claims in any way.

1. A method for processing a validation code received at a point of sale(POS) machine during a purchase transaction to determine if thevalidation code was previously registered through an Internet site,comprising the steps of: registering the validation code through theInternet site by obtaining the validation code based on an input codesequence input by a customer; receiving the validation code from thecustomer at the POS machine; testing whether the validation code hasbeen registered through the Internet site independent of any customeridentification and after the receiving step; in the event that the testis satisfied, generating a discount signal which awards the customer adiscount; and discounting the purchase transaction in the amount of theawarded discount.
 2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the step ofreceiving the validation code comprises scanning the validation codeusing a device associated with the POS machine.
 3. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the code obtained from the customer at the Internetsite is distributed to the customer in a printed form.
 4. The method asin claim 1, wherein the code obtained from the customer at the Internetsite is distributed to the customer in an electronic form.
 5. The methodas in claim 1, wherein the code obtained from the customer and receivedfrom the customer originates with the individual.
 6. A computer programproduct comprising a computer useable medium having computer programlogic recorded thereon for enabling a computer to process a validationcode received at a point of sale (POS) machine during a purchasetransaction to determine if the validation code was previouslyregistered through an Internet site, comprising: first computer programlogic for enabling the computer to register the validation code throughthe Internet site by obtaining the validation code based on an inputcode sequence; second computer program logic for enabling the computerto receive the validation code from the POS machine; third computerprogram logic for enabling the computer to test whether the validationcode has been registered through the Internet site independent of anycustomer identification and after receiving the validation code at thePOS machine; fourth computer program logic for enabling the computer togenerate a discount signal which awards a discount in the event that thetest is satisfied; and fifth computer program logic for enabling thecomputer to discount the purchase transaction in the amount of theawarded discount.
 7. A computer program product according to claim 6,further comprising: sixth computer program logic for enabling thecomputer to scan the validation code using a device associated with thePOS machine.
 8. The computer program product according to claim 6,wherein the code obtained at the Internet site is distributed in aprinted form.
 9. The computer program product according to claim 6,wherein the code obtained at the Internet site is distributed in anelectronic form.
 10. The computer program product according to claim 6,wherein the code obtained and received originates with a customer.
 11. Asystem for processing a validation code received at a point of sale(POS) machine during a purchase transaction to determine if thevalidation code was previously registered through an Internet site,comprising the following components, at least one of which comprises ahardware component: a component configured to register the validationcode through the Internet site by obtaining the validation code based onan input code sequence input by a customer; a component configured toreceive the validation code from the customer at the POS machine; acomponent configured to test whether the validation code has beenregistered through the Internet site independent of any customeridentification and after receiving the validation code at the POSmachine; a component configured to generate a discount signal whichawards the customer a discount in the event that the test is satisfied;and a component configured to discount the purchase transaction in theamount of the awarded discount.
 12. A system according to claim 11,wherein the component configured to register the validation code furthercomprises: a component configured to scan the validation code using adevice associated with the POS machine.
 13. The system according toclaim 11, wherein the code obtained from the customer at the Internetsite is distributed to the customer in a printed form.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the code obtained from the customer atthe Internet site is distributed to the customer in an electronic form.15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the code obtained andreceived originates with a customer.